Cushioned clutch plate



Dec. 14, 1937. G. E. POPE CUSHIONED CLUTCH PLATE Filed April 17, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l 7? for: 6607* e Zfipe,

Dec.- 14, 1937. G. E. POPE CUSHIONED CLUTCH PLATE Filed April 17, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 jiztfeizfor:

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. 7% 7/57 vie Patented Dec. 14, 1937 UNITED STATES Ares FFICE Raybestos -Manhattan,

Inc., Bridgeport, Conn,

a corporation of New Jersey Application April 17, 1937, Serial No. 137,461

14 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in friction clutch plate constructions, such as used in automobiles, and more particularly to clutch plates of the type including a pair of axially spaced friction facing elements constructed to provide resilient or cushioned engagement between the driving and driven member.

Heretofore, many clutch plate constructions have been proposed which were intended to'provideresilient and smooth engagement, and in practically all cases such advantages were obtained at the sacrifice of efficiency and excessive and non-uniform wear of the friction facings at confined areas or zones, thus greatly reducing the life of the facing Clutch constructions now in common use, in addition to being subject to thedisadvantages-mentioned, are also objectionable because of the lack of smooth engagement, resulting in chattering.

The clutch plate assembly embodying the present invention, obviates the foregoing disadvantagesand provides one hundred (100%) percent engagement of the friction surface, insuring uniform wear of the entire friction area and greatly prolonging the life of the friction facings. My novel clutch plate assembly comprises a mounting plate, a pair of spaced apart annular friction facing elements disposed in juxtaposed relation on opposite sides of the mounting plate and an annular series of circumferentially spaced sectoral leaf spring elements connecting the facing elements to the mounting plate and to each other. These spring elements are formed and connected in a manner so that upon compression of the facing. elements toward each other, one of the facings is caused to rotate a slight amount relatively to the. other, and said connections are such. as to. provide a multiplicity. of circumferentially spaced apart stop shoulders for limiting the amount of axialseparation of the facings for maintaining them in parallel relation to each other. By virtue of such construction, the facings pick up the torque load in a smooth, uniform manner, free from chatter, with the fac- 5 ings remaining substantially parallel to each other at all times, and insuring uniform engagement of the entire. friction areas of the facing elements.

Other objectsandadvantages of my improved clutch plate construction will be apparent from the following descriptiontaken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which;-

Fig. 1 is a face view,. with parts broken away, of a clutch plate assembly embodying this invention.

Fig. 2 is an edge view of sembly.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the mounting plate.

Fig, 4 is an. enlarged-staggeredsectional view the clutch plate asthrough theassembly, taken at line 44 on Fig. 1', showing the position of the facing elements in inoperative position.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, showing the relation of the parts in operating position.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged face view of one of the leaf spring elements.

In the illustrated embodiment of my invention shown in the drawings, the-clutch plate assembly includes a supporting hub it, which is provided with internal splines 55, providing axial nonrctative movement on a clutch shaft (not shown) on which it is to be mounted. It is to be understood that the hub is provided with a suitable flange to which is secured, by suitable fastening elements, a mounting plate or spider l2, which is of generally circular form. The marginal edge of the mounting plate is formed plicity of circumferentially spaced apart notches it, and the portions intermediate adjacent notches, and designated at 15, serve as mounting fingers.

A pair of axially spaced apart annular friction facing elements 5'! and E3 are disposed in parallel relation on opposite sides of the mounting plate, and are connected to the and to each other by a multiplicity of circumferentially spaced sectoral leaf spring elements formed of suitable spring metals. Each spring element, as seen in Fig. 6, is formed with a flat intermediate portion 2!, provided with an aperture 2-2 which is adapted to be registered with an aperture E5 of one of the fingers E5 of the mounting plate 52, for rigid and permanent connection thereto by a rivet 32. On opposite sides of the flat portion 2! of each spring are oppositely inclined portions 23 and 2d, the former continuing, into a flat portion 25 and the latter merging into a fiat portion 2?, continuing into a reversely inclined portion 28. The flat portions 2|, 25 and 21, although disposed in lateral olfset relation, extend in planes substantially parallel to each other.

The flat portion 25 of each spring element is provided with two sets of circumferentially spaced apertures 33 and 3i, the apertures of each set preferably being radially aligned. The apertures 3d, are adapted: to be aligned with enlarged apertures ifi of the same finger l5, to which the spring is connected by the rivet 32, and the portion 25 of the spring is firmly secured to the inner surface of the facing element 58 by double shouldered rivets 33, which includes a small body 33 and a larger body 33*, and the shoulder formed therebetween serving as a head to engage the spring portion 25, as seen in the drawings. The larger portion 33 extends freely through the larger aperture 15 of the finger IS, with a head. 33 spaced a sufiicient distance to engage the surface of the finger, as seen. in Fig. 4, to.

mounting plate 9 With a multiof the rivets of axial separation by the heads 33 of the rivets spring; It is to be and the apertures spring are substantially tion 21 of the spring is providedv with a pair of radially aligned apertures 36 through which ex tend double I taching the spring to the, other facing element I'I, while the enlarged portion. 33 of the rivet extends through thelarge apertures M of the overlapping portion 25 ofthe next adjacent leaf I5 in the fingers l5 of the mounting plate i2 3| in the flat portion 25 of the 7 larger than the enlarged portion 33 of the rivets 33for permitting an un-f obstructed limited amount of rotation of one friction facing element relative to the other, when the elements are axially compressed in normal operation, as seen in Fig. 5. Each of the friction facings are provided with enlarged apertures 35, opposite the rivets 32 and the heads 33 33 to facilitate assembly of the device and also to provide adequate clearance for the heads of said rivets when one facing element is rotated relatively to the other, as seen in Fig. 5. By virtue of the construction described, it will be apparent that the friction facings l1 and IB are resiliently urged apart a definite distance by the leaf springs 20, and are limited in theamount 33, thus always maintaining said fa'cings in parsaid facings is caused to move an facing elements, .thus obtaining maximum life as patterns on facings. Such patterns usual- 7 allel relation'to each other when in expanded or separated relation. As above mentioned,

when the facings are compressed toward each other, in operation, the springs 2!! act as resilient cushions and the inclined portions 23, 24 and 28 tend to straighten out, with the'edge ofportion 28 of one spring sliding over portion'25 of j 5 the. next adjacent spring. 1 Such action increases the rivets 32 and next addue to the rigid mounting Hand l8, one of angular amount relatively to the other. Such movement of the facings insures a smooth and resilient pick up of the torque load, with fullone hundred percent friction engagement ofthe operating surfaces of the facings. This'type of engagement completely eliminates chatteringand results in uniform wear of'the operating surfaces of the the distance between jacent rivets 33, and of each spring to both facings of the facings. V

The cushioning springs 20, are formed and spaced to provideadequate support for the facing elements and prevent occurrence of what is known 1y follow the contour of the cushioning springs insofar as their lack of ability to apply uniform pressure to the facings. The construction herein disclosed insures maintaining the facings in as, nearly parallel relation as possible during the engagement of the clutch while picking up full torque load.

Although I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, manifestly it is capable of modification and rearrangement without departing from thereof. -1 do not, therefore, wish to be understood aslimiting this invention to the precise.

shouldered rivets' 33, for rigidlyatunderstood that theapertures the spirit and scopeconstruction herein disclosed, except as it may be so limited in the appended claims.

. annular frictionfacing elements disposed on opposite sides of said plate, resilient mean'sconnecting said facings to the mounting plate, andv normally maintaining said facings in spaced relation'to said plate, said means being formed so that upon compression of the facing elements toward'each other one of said facing elements is moved .an angular amount relatively to'the other facing element for producing smooth and uniform clutch engagement, and .means interconnecting said resilient means with saidmounting plate for limiting theamount. of axialseparation of said facing elements.

2. An improved clutch plate, comprising a pair of axially spaced apart annular friction facing elements, aplurality of circularly spaced sectoral leaf springs interposed between said elements in overlapping end engagement, circumferentially spaced apart means for connecting each spring to both facing elements, and means for limiting the amount of axial separation of said facing.

elementa; r V

3.'An improved clutch plate, comprising a pair of axially spaced apart annular. friction facing elements, a plurality of circularly spaced sectoral leaf springs interposed between said elements, circumferentially spaced. apart means for 'con- '4. An improved clutch plate, comprising a" mounting plate, a pair of axially spaced apart necting each spring to both facing elements,rone

annular frictionfa'cing elements disposed on op posite sides of said spaced sectoral leaf springs, circumferentially spaced apart means connecting each spring to, both of said facing elements, and means interconnecting each spring with the mounting plate in a manner for limiting the amount of axial separation of'the facing elements.

plate, aplurality of circularly 5. An improved clutch plate, comprising a mounting plate, a pair of axiall'yspaced apart annular friction facingelements disposed on opposite sides of said plate, a plurality of circularly spaced sectoral leaf springs, said springs being formed so that upon compression of the facing elements toward each other one of said elements is moved an angular amount relatively to the other, and circumferentially spaced apart rivets connecting each spring to both of said facing ele- .ments, certain of said rivets being doubleshouldered andhaving interconnection with the mounting plate in a manner for limiting the amount of axial separation of the facing elements.

7 6. .An improved clutch plate, comprising, a mounting plate, a pair of axially spaced apart annular friction facing elements disposed on opposite sides of said plate, a plurality of circularly spaced sectoral leaf springs, said springs being formed so thatupon compression of the facing elements toward each other one of said elements is moved an angular amount relatively to the other, and circumferentially spaced apart rivets connecting each spring to both of said'faoin'g elements, certain of said rivets being double'shouldered andhaving interconnection with the mount a ing plate in a manner for limiting the amount-of axial separation of the facing elements, said interconnection including an enlarged aperture in the mounting plate permitting relative angular movement of said plate and leaf springs upon compression of said facing elements.

7. An improved clutch plate, comprising a mounting plate, a pair of axially spaced apart annular friction facing elements disposed on opposite sides of said plate, a plurality of circularly spaced sectoral leaf springs, circumferentially spaced apart means connecting each spring to both of said facing elements, means rigidly connecting each spring to the mounting plate, and means interconnecting each spring with the mounting plate in a manner for limiting the amount of axial separation of the facing elements.

8. An improved clutch plate, comprising a mounting plate, a pair of axially spaced apart annular friction facing elements disposed on opposite sides of said plate, a plurality of circularly spaced sectoral leaf springs, said springs being formed so that upon compression of the facing elements toward each other one of said elements is moved an angular amount relatively to the other, means rigidly connecting each spring to the mounting plate, and oircumferentially spaced apart rivets connecting each spring to both of said facing elements, certain of said rivets being double shouldered and having interconnection with the mounting plate in a manner for limiting the amount of axial separation of the facing elements.

9. An improved clutch plate, comprising a mounting plate, a pair of axially spaced apart annular friction facing elements disposed on opposite sides of said plate, a plurality of circularly spaced sectoral leaf springs, said springs being formed so that upon compression of the facing elements toward each other one of said elements is moved an angular amount relatively to the other, means rigidly connecting each spring to the mounting plate, and circumferentially spaced apart rivets connecting each spring to both of said facing elements, certain of said rivets being double shouldered and having interconnection with the mounting plate in a manner for limiting the amount of axial separation of the facing elements, said interconnection including an enlarged aperture in the mounting plate permitting relative angular movement of said plate and leaf springs upon compression of said facing elements.

10. An improved clutch plate, comprising a mounting plate, a pair of annular friction facing elements disposed in juxtaposed relation on opposite sides of the plate, a plurality of circularly spaced, sectoral leaf springs interposed between said facing elements, one end of each spring being laterally offset and disposed in overlapping relation to the end of the next adjacent spring, circumferentially spaced apart means connecting each spring to the mounting plate and to both facing elements, and means interconnecting the overlapping portions of adjacent springs in a manner for limiting the amount of axial separation of said facing elements.

11. An improved clutch plate, comprising a mounting plate, a pair of annular friction facing elements disposed in juxtaposed relation on opposite sides of the plate, a plurality of circularly spaced, sectoral leaf springs interposed between said facing elements, one end of each spring being laterally offset and disposed in overlapping relation to the end of the next adjacent spring, said springs being formed so that upon compression of the facing elements toward each other one of said elements is moved an angular amount relatively to the other, circumferentially spaced apart rivets connecting each spring to the mounting plate and to both facing elements, and double shouldered rivets interconnecting the overlapping portions of adjacent springs in a manner for limiting the amount of axial separation of the facing elements.

12. An improved clutch plate, comprising a mounting plate, a pair of annular friction facing elements disposed in juxtaposed relation on opposite sides of the plate, a plurality of circularly spaced, sectoral leaf springs interposed between said facing elements, one end of each spring being laterally offset and disposed in overlapping relation to the end of the next adjacent spring, said springs being formed so that upon compresison of the facing elements toward each other one of said elements is moved an angular amount relatively to the other, circumferentially spaced apart rivets connecting each spring to the mounting plate and to both facing elements, and double shouldered rivets interconnecting the overlapping portions of adjacent springs in a manner for limiting the amount of axial separation of the facing elements, one of said springs at the connection for the double shouldered rivet having an enlarged aperture to permit relative angular movement of the facing elements.

13. An improved clutch plate, comprising a mounting plate, a pair of annular friction facing elements disposed in juxtaposed relation on opposite sides of the plate, a plurality of circularly spaced, sectoral leaf springs interposed between said facing elements, one end of each spring being laterally oifset and disposed in overlapping relation to the end of the next adjacent spring, circumferentially spaced apart means connecting each spring to the mounting plate and to both facing elements, means interconnecting each spring to the mounting plate and the overlapping portions of adjacent springs in a manner to limit the amount of axial separation of said facing elements.

14. An improved clutch plate, comprising a mounting plate, a pair of annular friction facing elements disposed in juxtaposed relation on opposite sides of the plate, a plurality of circularly spaced, sectoral leaf springs interposed between said facing elements, one end of each spring being laterally oifset and disposed in overlapping relation to the end of the next adjacent spring, circumferentially spaced apart means connecting each spring to the mounting plate and to both facing elements, means interconnecting each spring to the mounting plate and the overlapping portions of adjacent springs in a manner to limit the amount of axial separation of said facing elements, said interconnecting means including double shouldered rivets rigidly connecting each spring to the opposed facing elements, and projecting through enlarged apertures formed in the mounting plate and the next adjacent spring respectively for permitting a limited amount of angular movement of the facing elements relatively to each other.

GEORGE E. POPE. 

